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Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 14: 173-181 (2014) www.trjfas.org
ISSN 1303-2712
DOI: 10.4194/1303-2712-v14_1_19

Economic Assessment of Dolphin Depredation Damages and Pinger Use in
Artisanal Fisheries in the Archipelago of Egadi Islands (Sicily)

Vincenzo Maccarrone1,*, Gaspare Buffa1, Vincenzo Di Stefano1, Francesco Filiciotto1, Salvatore
Mazzola1, Giuseppa Buscaino1

1 Institute for Marine and Coastal Environment of the National Research Council, Detached Branch of Capo Granitola
(IAMC-CNR), Via del Faro No:3, 91021, Torretta-Granitola (TP), Italy.

* Corresponding Author: Tel.: +39. 0924 40600; Fax: +39. 0924 40445; Received 30 August 2013
E-mail: vincenzo.maccarrone@cnr.it Accepted 27 January 2014

Abstract

In this study, an economic analysis of the effect of pingers as "anti-depredation" devices on artisanal fisheries and
dolphin depredation was performed. By comparing the data of the gross Profit Per Unit Effort (PPUE) over 29 fishing days
for two identical nets (900-m long, one was equipped with pingers, and the other did not have pingers), was assessed the
following: the different production trends of the nets (Advantage of Production, AP) and the Return Of Investment (ROI) for
the purchase of the pingers. Considering the difference in the PPUE values of the two nets, the frequency of the dolphin
interaction, and the effort of fishing activities, was assessed the one-year economic losses (ED) due to dolphin depredation.
Moreover, was assessed the economic damage caused by the destroyed area of the nets.

The AP over 29 fishing days for the use of the pinger net with respect to the control net is 25.7 Euros for each 50 m of
net. The ROI for the initial investment of the pingers (4 pinger = 800 Euro) is 50 fishing days, and the ED is 1400 Euros. The
damages suffered by the control and the pinger nets were 33 m2 (90 Euros) and 22 m2 (91 Euros), respectively.

The analysis of the results demonstrates that the critical factors that determine the success of the pinger technology
could be represented by the return of investment (ROI) and the use of the economic incentives provided by the European
Fisheries Fund (EFF).

Keywords: Dolphin, bottom gill nets, profit per unit effort, advantage of production, return of investment.

Introduction represent a risk factor for the fisheries that might be
reduced with a specific piece of equipment. However,
The interaction between dolphins and fisheries is the lost profits, the costs of fishing gears repairs, and
a worldwide concern because it affects both the the improvement of the economic performances of the
survival of wild dolphin populations and the net that uses acoustic deterrent devices have been
livelihood of fishermen (Brotons et al., 2008; already assessed in trammel and gill net (Brotons et
Northridge, 1984). Dolphins engaging in depredation al., 2008a; Brotons et al., 2008b; Gazo et al., 2008;
activities cause damage to fishing gear and decrease Gönener et al., 2012; Waples et al., 2012); but no
the value and quantity of catches (Reeves et al., 2001; study has performed an economic Return On
Zollet et al., 2006). Acoustic deterrent devices, such Investment (ROI) on pingers.
as pingers, have attracted much attention as a possible
method to mitigate these problems (Dowson et al., This study aims to analyse the economic impact
2013). However, despite their widespread use and the of an acoustic devices on an artisanal fishery near a
completion of several studies, data on the economic Marine Protected Area of the Mediterranean Sea, is
effectiveness of these devices is relatively located in the Egadi Islands (West Sicily, Italy). In
scarce(Barlow et al., 2003; Buscaino et al., 2009; this area, artisanal fishing (long line, gillnet, and
Carlström et al., 2002; Cox et al., 2001; Dawsons et trammel nets) with small-size (<12 m) boats is mainly
al., 1998; Leeney et al., 2007; Monteiro-Neto et al., practiced, and the interaction between Tursiops
2004). truncatus and fishery represents a serious problem for
the fishermen and dolphins (Buscaino et al., 2009).
The interaction and depredation phenomena of These artisanal fisheries, although small, are socio-
the Tursiops truncatus assume a different meaning economically important, particularly during the tourist
when studied from an economic point of view. The seasons (from June to October) when the number of
loss of fish and the damage to the fishing gear tourists significantly increases. In fact, the Egadi

© Published by Central Fisheries Research Institute (CFRI) Trabzon, Turkey
in cooperation with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), Japan